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For over four decades Broadside Press has promoted the written word as a vital art form intimately related to self-determination, and used the publishing of literature as a vehicle for building communities and promoting cultural critique. Founded in 1965 by Dudley Randall, a librarian by profession and a poet whose expression of human compassion is unparalleled by mainstream publishers. Broadside Press Board Members are: Chris Rutherford, Dr. Gloria Aneb House, Aurora Harris, Uri Heru House, Roberta Rutherford, Mojisola Adeogun and Albert M. Ward.

The year 2005 marked Broadside’s 40th Anniversary as one of the oldest operating Black presses in the United States. Also in 2005, the Library of Michigan selected Broadside’s most recent publication (with the University of Detroit-Mercy), A Different Image: The Legacy of Broadside Press, as one of the 20 Notable Books of Michigan. Broadside Press has served the Detroit metropolitan community by offering a wide variety of programs and events that foster the creation and enjoyment of literature. Broadside’s current programming includes the monthly Broadside Poets Theatre, which provides a setting for young poets to cultivate their talents; and the Young Writers Institute for Teens, sponsored in partnership with the YMCA. For ten years, our Poet-in-Resident Program, a collaboration with the Detroit Public Library, placed 25 of the area’s best poets in local libraries, rehabilitation sites, senior and juvenile centers to coach children and adults as they pursued their creative writing aspirations. Through such programs, Broadside Press has enhanced the lives of thousands of Detroit metro area residents of all ages and ethnicities.

From 2007 to present time, Broadside Press members and the community are actively participating in our Broadside Press Institute of Cultural Studies summer programs at U of D-Mercy. Board members have conducted workshops about our Different Image Legacy Poets; past and current concerns and conditions that African American males face; historical African American leaders as part of our Leadership workshops; the impact of the HIP HOP movement; and our diasporic connection to poets and writers in other countries. Our Board Members have also successfuly worked with residents of Idlewild, Michigan along with the State of Michigan regarding the historical land marking of Idlewild, MI (in Yates Township), it’s Public library, notable homes, and other sites; the co-sponsorship of the landmarking ceremonies; and our first poets and writers conference that took place in August 2010.

Broadside Press Presents: Positive Poetry for Positive People (open mic) hosted by Aurora Harris, Saturday August 17 from 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. in the Nile River Jazz and Blues Club ( lower level of the Museum, the indoor cafe/cafeteria) that will have doors open to the lower level courtyard. Poets who would like to read should show up a few minutes early to sign the open mic list. Each person will have 3-5 minutes to read. Since the theme of the festival is Rising To The Top, poets are encouraged to readpositive, uplifting, community (local and diaspora) consciousness raising poetry. Please keep in mind that the festival is a family affair, no profanity.

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Broadside Press is a nonprofit (501(c)(3) tax exempt) organization. If you would like to support any of our youth or adult programs, please make your tax deductible donation today.Please send your check, cashiers check or money order to: